Pet Health 101: Building Blocks For Healthy Pets

Healthy pets lead to happy pets and happy pet families. Pet owners often feel overwhelmed with the amount of pet health information out there. While keeping your pet healthy involves a lot of responsibility, it is not as complicated as you may think. Pets need to have a proper diet, exercise, grooming, and social interaction. If you stick to these areas that are most important, your pet’s health will be on the way to tip top shape.

Healthy Diet and Nutrition

The foundation for healthy dogs and pets starts with proper nutrition. A healthy diet is a must for healthy pets. Make sure your dog food is high in protein, low in grains, and free from harmful fillers and unnatural ingredients. To maintain your pet’s health, vitamins and supplements are also a valuable addition to your pet’s diet and can also be a valuable way to keep your pet active and healthy as they get older. Healthy diets and proper nutrients will also aid in your pet’s skin and coat. Skin that is free of irritation with shiny coats and strong fur are all a result of proper diets rich in nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and biotin.

Flea and Tick Prevention

Fleas and ticks can be a problem throughout most of the United States. For warmer areas of the country, fleas and ticks can pose more of a year-round problem for dogs and cats. For areas with cold winters, dogs and cats may have a few months of respite each year. Regardless, it is important for pet parents to give their pets flea and tick prevention and treatment throughout the year. Fleas can transmit tapeworms and cause allergy dermatitis, the most common skin disease in pets. If not treated, your pet may even develop anemia, so it is important to protect your pet.

Exercise and Social Interaction

The amount of exercise your pets need depends on their age, breed, and health. A 10-month-old puppy is going to need more than a five-year-old small dog. Working dog breeds, such as shepherds and retrievers, tend to need more exercise even into their golden years. Most dogs need 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day so try to get two walks in if you don’t have a backyard big enough for playtime. In addition to exercise, dogs need a lot of social interaction with other dogs and people. Like their human parents, dogs are pack animals and need to form social relationships to maintain their health. Local dog parks, canine play groups, and time with the kids is essential for their health and wellbeing.